Real Patriotism is Recognizing the Cost for Vets of War (Jamiol Cartoon)

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In all previous wars, sacrifices were made by civilians as well as combatants for war efforts. In today’s wars overseas, the only ones sacrificing are the soldiers and their families, which is the most unjust thing about these wars. We say “Support Our Troops” with parades, flags, and bumper stickers, but then, to our great shame, we turn our backs.

No, I beg to politely disagree sir. The most unjust thing about these wars are the horrors and chaos that the populations who we have invaded have had to suffer,, and slightly behind that in a close second place, is that neither the invasion of Iraq or Afghanistan was necessary to protect our own country. Certainly I do not downplay the horrors suffered by our own troops who believed their leaders who told them these actions were necessary,, but they signed on as professional soldiers, willing to take orders to kill if ordered. It’s all so wrong on so many levels, it might seem trite to disagree about which aspect is perhaps more unjust. Peace.

I know a fellow who was accepted into the Army ( within the last couple of years,) after he told the recruiter that he had a lifelong history of very serious depression. He made it through basic training, and was about one month into studying how to be a battlefield medic when his depression really hit him hard. He was hospitalized and then discharged with a 100% disability. He gets a check from our federal government for about $1780 every month,, and will for the rest of his life if he so desires. My point? Yes, of course we should care for our returning soldiers,, but just as importantly, we should really take care when accepting some of these people into our militaries in the first place,, but of course we do not. Recruiters will have anyone and everyone sign up. And none of us know why our troops are in Afghanistan,, and that is costing us two billion dollars every week,, not taking into consideration the medical costs that will follow some of these returning soldiers the rest of their days. Bottom line,,, every war is bullshit, and these occupations we are involved with now are just for profits to the military suppliers. It is all bullshit,, and when the troops come home we should listen to them very carefully as they themselves tell us it was all bullshit.Just like a big corporation, our pentagon has a huge budget for advertising and recruiting these fellows. If you pay federal taxes you are enabling the continuous cycle of this horrible silliness. All done with clever lies,, to a population that cannot find a decent job in this country. When will we learn ? Probably when there is really no more money for these pricks to waste. Keep up the spirits that prevent wars, and discourage anyone you can from being a victim of this insanity.This democracy is a failing experiment, sold out to the highest bidder. I’d prefer a wise and kind leader to all this crap, I really would.

It should be pretty plain that with every increment of Bigness of institutions, particularly where the main model of human interaction is the “business deal” and its subsidiary, what we carelessly and imprecisely call “war,” and where Big Money is used to keep score and facilitate the titillation of the fanciest yearnings of the most jaded, you are very likely t end up with a “leader.” The chances of ending up with a “wise and kind” leader? How big, for you mathematicians, can numbers less than zero actually get?

You can bet that our “leaders,” in among all the other Strange Attractors and webs of deceit that their PR hacks and message manipulators are generating to attract (or deter) your sacred Vote, are all hoping to to tap into that same emotional pool that Ronnie Raygun siphoned out of — the vulnerability of most of us to the image of the seemingly competent, avuncular guy who can reassure, and make all seem like, well, “Morning In America.” link to youtube.com (On the other hand, there’s this view: link to politicsdaily.com )

Genghis Khan and some guy named Hitler and another fella named “Alexander” were all competent fellas, in their way — and probably inevitable.

“Ooooh,, rub that little spot over there to the right, will ya? — Aaaaaaaah, that feeeeels so goooooood….”

Yes,, you make a great point,,, a dream to have a wise and kind leader,, a fantasy,, I know. So much harder to educate and bring the minds of the people up to a level that might bring hope and peace,, still,, I can fantasize right ? Ha ha. You are right,, the wise and kind leader is a long shot for sure. Still,, I might pray for this in long traffic jams and boring straightaways. Peace.

The American army is, and has been, an army of mercenaries for a long, long time. Like most, I grew up indoctrinated to the “fighting for freedom” routine. Vietnam quickly removed that fantasy. The American civilian population hasn’t experienced the real costs of war since the Civil War. No one really cares what happens to vets and never have. In fact, the vast majority of Americans rather like war as long as it’s reasonably short. Provides a good economy which all enjoy and you get to talk patriotic jargon while having coffee with your friends. And if someone’s son/daughter dies, attend the funera, pat the parents on the back and go home to watch football, survivor or some other distracting trivia.